Alumni game stirs up competition

HOT SPRINGS – Students and adults of all ages raced from one side of the basketball court to the other in two competitive basketball games, as Hot Springs held its annual alumni competition.

For the third year in a row the week of Homesteader Days was chosen for the community tradition, as parents and community members filled the school gymnasium on the evening of Thursday, June 12.

The night featured two games, the first was a men’s game with the nightcap featuring a women’s competition.

In the first game the male alumni held down there younger competition and though the game was pretty close at half time, by the time the final whistle sounded the senior team had put the contest out of doubt. The final score was 77 for the alumni and 47 for the students.

Recent graduate Jimmy Holland, played for the students and used some timely shots from beyond the arc to keep his peers in the game. Additionally, Lane Foster used effective passing to keep the basketball moving when the students were on the offensive side of the court and the competition on edge.

However, as the game wore on the size and experience of the alumni won out, with Ruben Loberg grabbing several key rebounds, and alumni Trevor Bras making quite a few shots to put the game out of reach.  

The women’s game turned into quite a different match, as it was the students who triumphed over the alumni.

The Savage Heat were led by Meara and Laurel Schmiedbauer, beating the alumni team by a score of 41 to 18.

In the second game of the evening the Schmiedbauer girls faced off against three of their sisters, as Susanne, Erin and Elsa all represented the alumni during the game.

The students grabbed the early lead, helped out by several rebounds from Josey Carr, and never looked back controlling the contest from start to finish.

Raffles were held throughout the evening with prizes contributed by businesses throughout the community.

The third-annual game between current high school athletes and former graduates is part of the Graduation Matters Montana initiative, in which the school participates.

The initiative is a coordinated effort by schools throughout the state to engage schools, communities, businesses and families to facilitate high rates of graduation among high school students.

“It’s certainly a way to promote graduation from high school, by bringing the former graduates in to play against the students,” Sher Loberg, the school counselor at Hot Springs said.

The event is placed during Homesteaders week in hopes more alumni are in the area.

Additionally, in order to comply with Montana high school athletic rules, this type of event must take place outside of the regular athletic season noted Lenny Page. Page is a school board member who was instrumental in creating the alumni basketball game a few years ago.

Sher Loberg was pleased with the turnout and excited so many members of the community came out to support the students.

“The games were fantastic. I am so pleased our community comes out and supports the kids,” S. Loberg said.

Since its inception the event has served as a way for the school to raise funds for various projects.

According to Page, during the events first year $500 was raised for new bleachers in the gymnasium. In the second year $627 was contributed to the announcer stand fund and this year’s event will go towards funding a new crow’s nest for the football field.

Page was also pleased with the turnout and is excited the event is becoming a regular part of the early summer season.

“I think it’s a great tradition to have,” Page said.